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Norman Mapeza

Sports Reporter
AFTER their failed adventure on the continent, FC Platinum switch their attention to domestic matters with a Castle Lager Premiership date against Flame Lily at Mandava today.The Zvishavane side were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup by Young Africans of Tanzania after they failed to overturn a 1-5 first leg loss.

FC Platinum won 1-0 at Mandava.

Club president, George Mawere, has hailed Zimbabwe for supporting his team in their CAF Confederation Cup adventure.

“FC Platinum’s run in the CAF Confederation Cup came to an end following the 1-0 victory against Young Africans of Tanzania on Saturday 4th of April 2015 which meant that the club was eliminated from the competition on a 5 – 2 aggregate score,” Mawere said in a statement.

“It was an interesting campaign where the club posted an emphatic 4 – 2 aggregate over Sofapaka Football Club of Kenya in the preliminary round fixture to proceed to the first round.

“The club has gained valuable experience in the competition and focus has now been shifted to the league campaign. On behalf of FC Platinum, and in my capacity as Club President, I wish to thank all stakeholders who supported the team during the campaign including our fans, the media, our business partners, sponsors, well-wishers, donors, staff and the entire nation for rallying behind the Platinum Boys.

“Special mention goes to the following organisations which are listed in no particular order — Zimbabwe Football Association, the Premier Soccer League and fellow PSL clubs, FC Platinum Holdings, Zvishavane Town Council, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Runde Lodge, Pote Hill Hotel, Zimbabwe Immigration, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, Kenyan Embassy in Zimbabwe, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Tanzanian Embassy in Zimbabwe, Zvishavane District Hospital, Shabanie Mine, Shabanie Mine Hospital, Shabanie Mine Football Club, Zambuko Marketing, ZBC, Azam TV, Panorama Lodge, Fidelity Printers, DSK, Mimosa Mining Company and various media houses.

“We value your support.

Meanwhile, Whawha technical advisor, Lloyd Mutasa, has challenged his players to fight for their first full set of points when they meet fellow newboys Tsholotsho Pirates at Ascot this Sunday.

“The way we started the league doesn’t look good at all and we have to pick ourselves up and start getting the points so that we don’t put ourselves under pressure.

“We haven’t done to the best of our abilities. Hopefully, we will regroup. Tsholotsho have made a promising start and I am sure they are a good team,” said Mutasa.

Highlanders have also started with a limp but their coach Bongani Mafu believes it is a matter of time before they get their act together.

“We played the match under difficult conditions. It was one that we could have easily lost and at the same time one that we could have easily won.

“But it was a draw at the end. We couldn’t score but we created the chances, which is something positive. It shows the goals will start coming at some point. That is something that we are working on and we are not going to press the panic buttons.

“I hear someone saying our strikers are not scoring and it’s only the defenders. My response is simple, we are a team and anyone in the team can score,” said Mafu.

Fixtures

Today: FC Platinum v Flame Lily (Mandava)

Saturday: ZPC Kariba v Dongo Sawmill (Gwanzura), How Mine v Harare City (Luveve), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava)

Sunday: Dynamos v Flame Lily (Gwanzura), Triangle v CAPS United (Gibbo), Highlanders v Chapungu (Barbourfields), Hwange v Buffaloes (Colliery), Whawha v Tsholotsho (Ascot)